BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Oct 2012, 19:40

Hi to all! I'm a new member introduced to BT by Rick Ott. I had lunch with Rick and his lovely wife Sharon a couple days ago and discovered that they are two great people! I am a student pilot with a check ride for my Private in the next two to three weeks. I own a 1973 Cessna 172M with a 180hp conversion. One additional incentive to getting my certificate is a ride in one of Rick's Bonanzas!

I plan on starting work on my instrument rating shortly after I get the private and thus the interest in Bonanzas. My 172 needs an avionics upgrade before I start the instrument training so I'm considering trading up to a Bonanza instead of dumping a bunch of money into the Cessna. I've already spent several hours looking through old posts here and will continue to lurk and learn while deciding on the way forward.

Thanks to Rick's recommendation I plan on attending the APS Engine Management course in March. Looks like a fantastic weekend in OK.

That's about it for me tonight. South Carolina is playing LSU in Death Valley and my spot on the couch needs warming up. I look forward to joining the community.

Tony

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Oct 2012, 19:54

Welcome Tony,
Congrats on getting close on your private. That 180HP 172 is nothing to sneeze at. My wife has one and I love it. It's my go-to for short field work, sightseeing, and trips of less than 100nm. The Bonanza is the Mercedes of aircraft, but since all aircraft are a compromise, it tends to find it's home among people who regularly need to travel over 300 NM at the time. Good choice with starting on your instrument asap. Watch out for Rick. He will have you buying customs stickers and updating passports before you know it.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Oct 2012, 19:58

Tony, welcome to BT.
great on you for going forward to get your instrument rating. :thumbup:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Oct 2012, 20:07

Username Protected wrote:

Hi to all! I'm a new member introduced to BT by Rick Ott. I had lunch with Rick and his lovely wife Sharon a couple days ago and discovered that they are two great people! I am a student pilot with a check ride for my Private in the next two to three weeks. I own a 1973 Cessna 172M with a 180hp conversion. One additional incentive to getting my certificate is a ride in one of Rick's Bonanzas!

I plan on starting work on my instrument rating shortly after I get the private and thus the interest in Bonanzas. My 172 needs an avionics upgrade before I start the instrument training so I'm considering trading up to a Bonanza instead of dumping a bunch of money into the Cessna. I've already spent several hours looking through old posts here and will continue to lurk and learn while deciding on the way forward.

Thanks to Rick's recommendation I plan on attending the APS Engine Management course in March. Looks like a fantastic weekend in OK.

That's about it for me tonight. South Carolina is playing LSU in Death Valley and my spot on the couch needs warming up. I look forward to joining the community.

Tony

Welcome to BT. I too have my Gamecock shirt on. I have also found Rick to be generous when I called him for help.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Oct 2012, 20:39

Hi Tony,
Hello from a fellow South Carolinian. I live up the road near Clemson but am a UVa grad so I don't really have a dog in the Clemson/USC thing :duck:

If you wish, I'd be happy to throw my meager $0.02 in on progressing through training and ratings. I also know an excellent SC DPE if you are looking for options for your check ride.

Scott

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Oct 2012, 21:07

My gamecock shirt .....

and my TCU hat. I am conflicted.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Oct 2012, 21:54

Welcome to BT Tony!

In what part of SC do you live? I spend quite a bit of time in North Myrtle Beach (KCRE). If you are near there I'd be happy to give a ride in my Bo sometime. :peace:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 14 Oct 2012, 10:26

Welcome!

I'm typing this from the Starbucks on King St.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 14 Oct 2012, 11:06

Hi All,
Thanks for the warm greetings and the generous offers for help. I hope to take you all up on your offers over the coming weeks and months.

I'm excited to see a number of responses are from fellow South Carolinians. My hangar is at KCUB. I live about 10 minutes away from the airport in the Shandon area of Columbia. If you're ever planning on being in town and have some time to kill please let me know and I'll spring for lunch.

Looking forward to being a part of the community.

Tony

Username Protected · **Posted:** 14 Oct 2012, 11:49

Hi Tony and welcome to BT. This is a great place to learn a lot, quickly.

As far as instrument training, there's nothing wrong with using the VOR & ILS if you have them in your aircraft. Most of us older guys learned this way, long before GPS and even LORAN.

Good luck,
Neil

Username Protected · **Posted:** 14 Oct 2012, 12:45

Welcome Tony! Good luck on your PPL in the next few weeks...and many Bo hours after that... :thumbup:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 14 Oct 2012, 20:39

Welcome aboard Tony! :thumbup:

Rick did the right thing steering you here, lots of great people and knowledge!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 16 Oct 2012, 00:56

Hey welcome
I have great memories in C175 - 180hp. Tahoe airport south departure direct. Goodluck with the Beech trist.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 18 Oct 2012, 15:51

Welcome to BT. Lurking can teach you a lot. You cant go wrong in the SkyDog. I was just commenting to my instructor the other day that at least it gives you time to stay ahead of the plane while you are learning. Barons and Bonanzas can outrun the quickest of minds when things start to go awry. Get a Garmin 796 and put your charts into it. As you progress in your steamgauge training you can keep track of where you are, especially on approaches. the superimposed plane on the approach plate is a neat addition to spatial awareness. Have fun and learn fast. You will be wanting to fly that Bo pretty quick.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 19 Oct 2012, 09:36

Username Protected wrote:

Welcome to BT. Lurking can teach you a lot. You cant go wrong in the SkyDog. I was just commenting to my instructor the other day that at least it gives you time to stay ahead of the plane while you are learning. Barons and Bonanzas can outrun the quickest of minds when things start to go awry. Get a Garmin 796 and put your charts into it. As you progress in your steamgauge training you can keep track of where you are, especially on approaches. the superimposed plane on the approach plate is a neat addition to spatial awareness. Have fun and learn fast. You will be wanting to fly that Bo pretty quick.

I agree on the C172/180 as a great plane to learn in. It seems safe, simple and economical. As much as I love the plane, it doesn't have walnut burl on the panel.

Hi from South Carolina